The Town of South Bruce Peninsula has started its budget process – with a target of 2 per cent for the 2018 levy.
The draft budget reflects a 0 per cent increase in the operating tax levy increase and a 2 per cent increase in the capital tax levy, a report to town council said.
When you compare the increase year-over-year from 2017 to 2018, the increase is less than 2 per cent, Annette Robson, acting manager of financial services/treasurer for the town, said in an interview at the Nov. 14 council meeting in Wiarton.
“When you look at last year’s tax levy versus this year’s proposed tax levy, it has increased by .41 per cent overall,” she said.
Last year’s total budget for the municipality was $18.5 million she said, with this year’s projected budget for the town at $18.7 million, she said.
“Staff came back with exactly what we asked for, which is a total of two per cent increase. That gives us a little bit of room as a council to take on some new projects. Our target really is more than likely not to come above 3 per cent,” Mayor Janice Jackson said in an interview.
“Now it’s council’s turn to decide what new projects we want to bring forward for the town,” she said.
A public meeting will be held at the council chambers in Wiarton starting at 6 p.m., Nov. 22.
“We’ll be able to get some feedback from them and find out what’s important to them and what they would really like us to accomplish,” Jackson said.
Some budget highlights presented to council by Robson included savings of about $350,000 on the municipality’s general insurance (having changed its insurance provider) and in 2018, another $19,700 approximately will be saved by the town taking over landfill operations.
Over 60 per cent of the town’s assets, with a valuation of $134.5 million, are in good to very good condition, she reported. However more than 25 per cent are in poor to very poor condition. Staff have proposed a $4.9-million investment to maintain and upgrade municipal assets. Next April, she said, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula would be discontinuing its bylaw enforcement contract with SBP, which will also have a budgetary impact. Robson also noted the town’s new development charges bylaw is currently being appealed at the Ontario Municipal Board.
Expansion requests received as of Nov. 14, if approved, would total 7.6 per cent on the tax levy, she said.
Written comments from the public regarding the budget must be received by Annette Robson by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 21.
Council will continue its budget talks all day Nov. 28 and 29 and plans to approve the final 2018 budget Dec. 1.